Webster Lake, Massachusetts

Webster Lake—formally known as Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, the longest place name in the United States—is a 1,442‑acre freshwater lake in central Massachusetts. The lake contributes to the French River watershed through inflow from small tributaries and supports recreational boating, including the paddle‑wheel tour boat shown here. Its full Nipmuc name reflects deep Indigenous heritage, preserving traditional language, place‑based identity, and the cultural relationship between the Nipmuc people and the region’s land and water. With additional ties to early water‑powered industry, Webster Lake remains an important natural and cultural feature of the area.